Jasper Huang, G10 黄锦程

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most significant and cherished holiday in Chinese culture. Celebrated by over a billion people worldwide, it marks the beginning of the lunar new year and is a time for family reunions, cultural traditions, and joyful festivities.

In 2025, Chinese New Year fell on Jan. 29, heralding the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, adaptability, and transformation. This Chinese New Year, I returned to my parents’ hometowns in Hunan and Anhui provinces to visit my grandparents and other relatives.

Preparations for the holiday often begin weeks in advance, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement. Homes are thoroughly cleaned to sweep away bad luck and make way for good fortune in the coming year. This practice is not just about physical cleanliness but also symbolizes a fresh start and the removal of any lingering negativity. Red decorations adorn doors and windows, as the color red is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity.

Families gather for the reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve, a feast featuring dishes like dumplings, fish, and rice cakes, each carrying auspicious meanings. Fireworks and firecrackers light up the night sky. These loud and colorful displays are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. Another highlight, particularly for children, is receiving red envelopes, or “hongbao,” filled with money. These envelopes symbolize blessings for the year ahead and are often given by elders to younger family members as a gesture of love and goodwill. The festival also includes cultural performances such as dragon and lion dances.

Chinese New Year is not just a celebration but a reflection of Chinese values: respect for ancestors, the importance of family, and hope for a prosperous future. It is a time to honor traditions while embracing the new, making it a vibrant and meaningful festival for people of all ages. Whether celebrated in China or abroad, Chinese New Year is a testament to the enduring spirit of unity and cultural pride.